A Bend man is in St. Charles bend, in critical condition at last report, after allegedly assaulting emergency room personnel and a Bend police officer.

9-1-1 received a call from the hospital on Sunday, August 12th, around 7 pm reporting that a patient was out of control and assaulting staff members.

A Bend police officer arrived a few moments later…just as the unruly patient was walking out of the

E-R. Bend PD says the patient “advanced toward the officer in an aggressive and challenging manner”.

The officer tried conversation with the patient to divert the attack, and then had to resort to a taser…but…even that did not deter the man. Capt Jim Porter says the officer finally used an “open hand strike to the man’s face that finally stopped the assault.

64-year-old Jerry J. Nichols was admitted to the hospital after the incident.

A joint investigation of the incident is underway by personnel from the District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police detectives, and Bend PD.